How to personalise your home without annoying the landlord

Colourful furniture and art can help make a rented space your own You’ve moved in, unpacked your boxes and paid your first month’s rent. But how do you go about personalising a flat that belongs to someone else? Pomona West Apartments, which offers affordable accommodation to students in Chico, California, is offering some tips on how tenants can make their house a home without provoking the wrath of the landlord.
Many buildings have limitations on the changes that tenants can make within the apartment, Pomona West explains. This is understandable, as it preserves the integrity of the apartment and makes it easier to re-rent without requiring a lot of repairs.
However, it does not have to limit putting a personal touch on the space.
When a tenant signs a lease for an apartment, they agree to abide by the rules of the landlord or rental company. These rules may prohibit painting, putting holes in the walls, changing the flooring, or altering other features of the apartment.
But while some people worry that this will stifle their creativity and ability to make it feel like home, this is not necessarily the case. There are many ways to add a personal touch to living space without breaking these rules.
"There are many ways that residents can make their apartments more personalised," shares a representative of Pomona West Apartments. "Adding colourful blankets, pillows, or knick-knacks can make it feel more like home, and does not cause any harm. Thinking outside the box and getting creative can lead to a very personalised and inviting feel for any apartment."
There are several strategies that tenants can use to make small spaces appear larger. One is to invest in tall bookshelves. This will draw the eye upward and make use of space higher up on the wall. It can create additional storage space as well. Mirrors can also make small spaces appear larger. Strategically placing them to reflect light can make the room appear brighter. Hanging them horizontally or in a tiled pattern can create a more dramatic look. When hanging curtains, rather than placing them directly above the top of the window, hang them at ceiling height. This will create an effect that makes the walls appear taller.
To avoid painting the walls but still add flare, removable wallpaper can help to create an accent wall or add pattern to an entire room. The benefit is that it will not destroy the walls and is easily removable. Wall decals are also a removable form of art. They are available in a many different styles and images, and offer not only designs, but often quotes as well. Adding a personal touch is quick and stylish.
For a more creative touch, hanging a variety of pictures in different sized frames can spruce up a bare wall. Carefully planning the location of each frame before drilling in a nail will reduce the amount of small holes left when they are removed.
And finally, adding colourful decor can make a living space more personal and homelike. Area rugs can offer a burst of colour without ruining underlying flooring. If tenants supply their own furniture, adding a layer of paint can enhance the look. It can re-energise old furniture and give a new look. Adding throw pillows to a couch, chair, or bed is an easy change to make as well. When going for a new look, simply invest in new pillows.